Vaccine may prevent some cervical cancers

A new vaccine spurs people to produce a strong immune response against human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can infect both men and women and causes cervical cancer in women. The research bodes well for scientists aiming to develop a vaccine that prevents this disease.

Researchers injected 55 men and women with the vaccine. Half got a large dose and half a small dose. Eleven other volunteers received a placebo shot. The volunteers, six of whom were already infected with HPV, received three injections over 4 months. Researchers and volunteers didn't know which shots contained the vaccine. None of the volunteers showed any lasting side effect.

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